By John Lee.
Following Iraq’s successful return to the bond markets (http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2017/08/03/huge-demand-for-iraqi-govt-bonds/) earlier this year, it is now reportedly planning a $2 billion sovereign bond issue in 2018.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Dr. Ali Mohsen Ismail Al-Allaq [Alak] (pictured), told Reuters that the plan is currently awaiting parliamentary approval.
He added that Iraq’s foreign currency reserves have risen from $46.5 billion at the end of 2016 to $49 billion , helped by the increase in oil prices.
The country’s budget deficit is running at around $15.4 billion to $16.3 billion.
(Source: Reuters)